I can confirm that Summit Entertainment is telling Hollywood privately that Juan Antonio Bayona will direct Eclipse. I’m not saying he’s been offered the job or hired, which in Hollywood involves deal memos, signed contracts, and the like. Just that the studio execs Wednesday night passed the word he’s their guy. It’s a very out-of-the-box choice for the 3rd movie in the “Twilight Saga” series of Stephenie Meyer vampire novels being hurried to the big screen by the start-up studio.

Known as a horror wunderkjind and Guillermo Del Toro protege, the age 33 Bayona screened his Spanish language Gothic mystery El Orfanato (The Orphanage) to a 10-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Eclipse is his English language debut. Chris Weitz has already replaced Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke on the sequel New Moon due in November. Eclipse is set for release June 30, 2010, and features battles between werewolves and vampires. Now the question is whether the Twilight fans will say “Olé”.

28 Comments

awesome choice. he definitely has the artistic sensibility and chops to pull off the series the best out of all three.

Nevin Shalit • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

Worked on the release of his film The Orphanage, Bayona is a great guy and really talented. Wonderful choice!

JD • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

Loved The Orphange; I’m just not crazy about the Twilight series. Based on nervous studio heads, author input and (rising) star egos, I get the feeling that this is not going to be a good experience for him.

Stormy70 • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

I am thrilled with this pick. The Orphanage was outstanding and I recommend all the time to friends and family.

jerry • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

Fantastic choice. Thrilled. Happy for Pattinson too.

Darkhawk • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

This reminds me of what happen to the Harry Potter series and it’s third film. Potter brought in Curon and they got a reboot without getting a new cast, but most importantly he gave the whole film series a fresh start. Bayona is a fine choice who pulled wonder with The Orphange.

Mahogany • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

The Orphanage kicked ass and so I know he’ll not only be able to handle the required look for the film but he can also direct actors (and won’t let Kristen Stewart slink through the film with her usual stoned “acting”). Recent reports of Drew Barrymore being in the running for this were laughable to say the least.

Bernard • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

I met Bayona after the screening of The Orphanage at the New, seemed like a good guy. This is a GREAT choice, which would’ve been all the better if they didn’t have Weitz coming in to butcher the second movie.

Weitz is to Columbus as Bayona is to Cuaron. The pattern is quite clear.

writer • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

Lars is dead on.

The Orphanage was excellent. Creepy as hell. I might actually see this movie.

Courtney • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

He will do amazing! I am a Twilight fan and I am most excited for Eclipse now because he’s directing it. He really understands the meaning of love, desperation, emotion, and sadness. The Orphanage was absolutely amazing! I love that movie, I cry every time. Bayona will force the emotion out of Kristen Stewart, something I wish Hardwick would have done in Twilight!

Great pick! So excited!

La tua cantante • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

YES!!! PERFECT choice!!! I couldnt be happier!!!
I know that Eclipse will turn out to be so good if he turns out to Direct it! Ugh i am so relieved.No worries now. One of my top choices!!!!

Yeah, The Orphanage was a good movie and this guy is a talented director, but it won’t matter. This movie is going to suck. Why? Because Twilight sucks. The books suck. The movie sucked. And the sequels will suck as well. Not even Martin Scorsese could save this piece of trash.

So, if I were Mr. Bayona, I’d turn this directing gig down. It’s destined to be a piece of shit. Sure, it’ll make a lot of money, but that’s all it will be remembered for (not that anyone is going to be remember this in 10 years).

Alma • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

Satan’s PA-it won’t matter to you in 10 years, but to a lot of other people it will. So shut it.

Krista • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

I actually think, Satan’s PA, that this will be incredible experience for him. Imagine the struggle of turning some over-hyped tween sensation into a work of art? To make it relevent? I have no doubt he can do this, and THAT is something to be remembered for.

neuro • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

OMG!
I love Bayona
and please spain is not all OLÉ!

candice • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

Why are people on here dissing the best series in the world(TWILIGHT),If you don’t like twilight series go somewhere else that your opinions matters cause we don’t care to hear it:)……..GO TWILIGHT THE BEST I LOVE IT;)

The Male Filmmaker • on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 pm

I love it. They hire a white male to direct part 2 and Nikki throws a fit because they didn’t find another female director. Now that a Latino male is hired for part 3, the advocating for a female helmer vanishes. Gotta love that good ol’ liberal politically correct double standard.